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    <title>Aaj TV English News - Pakistan</title>
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    <language>en-Us</language>
    <copyright>Copyright 2026</copyright>
    <pubDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:38:08 +0500</pubDate>
    <lastBuildDate>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:38:08 +0500</lastBuildDate>
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      <title>Second phase of Hajj applications begins: Expats can apply through relatives</title>
      <link>https://english.aaj.tv/news/330428738/second-phase-of-hajj-applications-begins-expats-can-apply-through-relatives</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The Ministry of Religious Affairs has opened the second phase of receiving applications for Hajj 2026, with the process continuing through its online portal and designated banks till Saturday.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;According to &lt;em&gt;Radio Pakistan&lt;/em&gt;, this phase opens the doors for the unregistered intending pilgrims to apply.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Overseas Pakistanis can submit their applications through designated banks with the assistance of close relatives.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A report said that those living abroad must present their medical fitness certificate upon their arrival in Pakistan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2&gt;&lt;a id="hajj-policy-2026" href="#hajj-policy-2026" class="heading-permalink" aria-hidden="true" title="Permalink"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;Hajj Policy 2026&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced the policy for Hajj 2026 in Islamabad on July 30.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;He stated that Pakistan’s Hajj quota for the year is set at  179,210 pilgrims. However, final confirmation will come from the Saudi Authorities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The minister noted that the government scheme will have a quota of 119,210, while 60,000 spots are allocated for the private Hajj scheme.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Two packages will be available under the government scheme: a long package of 38-42 days and a short package of 20-25 days. Children under 12 will not be permitted to perform Hajj this year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The estimated cost under the Government Hajj Scheme will range from Rs1.15 million to Rs1.25 million, pending final approval of agreements with service providers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Overseas Pakistanis wishing to perform Hajj can transfer their funds to designated bank accounts associated with the Government Hajj Scheme. Vaccination will be mandatory, as approved by Saudi Arabia.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Additionally, the “Route to Makkah” facility will continue at Islamabad and Karachi airports.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A monitoring team from the Ministry of Religious Affairs will oversee Hajj operations to enhance service quality.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There will be a complete and transparent grievance redressal system that will deal with the complaints in a timely and fair manner.&lt;/p&gt;
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      <content:encoded xmlns="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><![CDATA[<p><strong>The Ministry of Religious Affairs has opened the second phase of receiving applications for Hajj 2026, with the process continuing through its online portal and designated banks till Saturday.</strong></p>
<p>According to <em>Radio Pakistan</em>, this phase opens the doors for the unregistered intending pilgrims to apply.</p>
<p>Overseas Pakistanis can submit their applications through designated banks with the assistance of close relatives.</p>
<p>A report said that those living abroad must present their medical fitness certificate upon their arrival in Pakistan.</p>
<h2><a id="hajj-policy-2026" href="#hajj-policy-2026" class="heading-permalink" aria-hidden="true" title="Permalink"></a>Hajj Policy 2026</h2>
<p>Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousaf announced the policy for Hajj 2026 in Islamabad on July 30.</p>
<p>He stated that Pakistan’s Hajj quota for the year is set at  179,210 pilgrims. However, final confirmation will come from the Saudi Authorities.</p>
<p>The minister noted that the government scheme will have a quota of 119,210, while 60,000 spots are allocated for the private Hajj scheme.</p>
<p>Two packages will be available under the government scheme: a long package of 38-42 days and a short package of 20-25 days. Children under 12 will not be permitted to perform Hajj this year.</p>
<p>The estimated cost under the Government Hajj Scheme will range from Rs1.15 million to Rs1.25 million, pending final approval of agreements with service providers.</p>
<p>Overseas Pakistanis wishing to perform Hajj can transfer their funds to designated bank accounts associated with the Government Hajj Scheme. Vaccination will be mandatory, as approved by Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p>Additionally, the “Route to Makkah” facility will continue at Islamabad and Karachi airports.</p>
<p>A monitoring team from the Ministry of Religious Affairs will oversee Hajj operations to enhance service quality.</p>
<p>There will be a complete and transparent grievance redressal system that will deal with the complaints in a timely and fair manner.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
      <category>Pakistan</category>
      <guid>https://english.aaj.tv/news/330428738</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:33:16 +0500</pubDate>
      <author>none@none.com (Web Desk)</author>
      <media:content url="https://i.aaj.tv/large/2025/08/111342186913168.webp" type="image/webp" medium="image" height="480" width="800">
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        <media:title>Hajj pilgrims perform morning prayers in the Grand Mosque during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on June 2, 2025. Photo: Saudi Press Agency
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